Sue McLean, Beloved Friend of Cities97, Passes Away

3 years ago

The 63 year old concert promoter was a driving force behind The Basilica Block Party and MN Zoo concerts.

Local music promoter and beloved friend of Cities97 Sue McLean passed away Friday after a long bout with Cancer.

Sue loved to say that “Live Music is Good for Your Soul!" and we couldn't agree more. Cities artist Brandi Carlile even posted a special tribute to Sue on her facebook page over the weekend:

Jon Bream of Vita.MN wrote a lovely article about her and the impact she had here in the Twin Cities and we invite you to read it:

She was backstage doing what concert promoters do: making sure the catering was perfect, making sure the road manager was happy and writing checks to the night’s star, security people and everyone else who helped stage the concert. But Sue McLean wanted to go out and catch a few songs of k.d. lang at the O’Shaughnessy.

The promoter went to the back of the auditorium, ducked into a special booth and, with a beatific smile, marveled at the wondrous lang.

McLean had a music connoisseur’s taste, a philanthropist’s spirit of generosity and a shy schoolgirl’s soft voice. She became the world’s most successful independent female concert promoter, bringing good times to Minnesota music lovers for more than three decades at the Basilica Block Party, the Minnesota Zoo, the Guthrie Theater and other venues.

McLean died Friday afternoon at her Minneapolis home after a long bout with cancer. She was 63.